Chile's Gonzalez too hot for Safin

PARIS, May 30 (Reuters) Chile's Fernando Gonzalez humbled former world number one Marat Safin of Russia 6-3 1-6 6-3 6-1 in the French Open first round today.

Gonzalez, the ninth seed who reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 2003, had too much claycourt nous for the Russian who was left screaming in frustration on centre court.

Safin returned to the tour in February after eight months out with a knee injury and as a result the twice former grand slam winner is ranked only 53, meaning he was unseeded for the claycourt grand slam.

Gonzalez is a potential quarter-final opponent of Spanish defending champion Rafael Nadal.

Reuters CH VP2358